Pip Brought Grandpa a Stick While He Fixed the Fence
Grandpa holds a hammer against a weathered plank, a pleased look on his face, while Pip stands right beside him with a long stick clamped proudly in her mouth. Her eyes are bright and her ears are perked, as if she is delivering exactly the part he needs. Behind them, an open doorway shows a cozy home and a few potted plants.
His red-and-black plaid shirt and round glasses give him the look of a lifelong fixer. The boards are old, the nails are rusty, and the afternoon is long enough for a job done at a relaxed pace.
Many Yorkies love to carry things, a trait tied to the terrier tendency to grab and shake. A stick is a classic prize, but sticks can splinter and injure a dog's mouth, so a chew toy or soft stick-shaped toy is safer. During repairs, keep nails, screws, tools, and paint where she cannot reach them, since all can be hazardous. Wood treatments and paints can be toxic, so keep her away until they dry. If she swallows something she shouldn't, call your vet at once.
The fence will be fixed by supper. The stick, meanwhile, is still in good hands, or rather, good teeth. He may let her keep the stick for a while, and she will guard it with great seriousness. Every project goes a little better with a helper who believes in the work.
